[Acute interstitial nephritis and hantavirus infection]

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a cause of acute kidney injury and characterized by an inflammation of the tubulointerstitial space, leading to a decline in kidney function. Multiple etiologies can cause AIN including medications, autoimmune diseases and infections. A multiplicity of drugs is associated with AIN, while antibiotics (especially beta-lactams), proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are the most common. The pathognomonic triad of exanthema, fever and eosinophilia is rarely present in AIN patients. Treatment of medication-associated AIN is based upon the discontinuation of the provoking drug. Glucocorticoids can be considered in severe cases.Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a disease caused by an infection with the Puumula-virus (PUUV) in northern and central Europe. Small rodents (mostly mice) are the host of the virus accountable for a rising number of infections during spring and summer. It is causing a syndrome consisting of AIN, fever and often thrombocytopenia. There is a good chance of complete recovery of kidney function following NE.